Profitable isn’t all the time concerning the cash you spend; the Tampa Bay Rays have proven that. The Rays have been a premium farm system for over a decade, and their present crop is not any exception. With 14 gamers inside my High 200, the Rays have substantial depth, notably on the mound, and will proceed producing high quality MLB groups over the subsequent decade. They’ve been notably environment friendly currently in figuring out premium expertise in different organizations with much less fanfare and turning them into stars.
This text is a part of a collection specializing in every MLB staff’s prime 20 prospects for fantasy baseball heading into the 2025 season. Keep tuned for prospect breakdowns for all 30 groups all through January right here at Pitcher Checklist, and make sure to try all our printed items within the collection.
High Rays Prospects
The High Tier
1) Carson Williams, SS
2024 Stats (AA): .256 AVG | .352 OBP | .469 SLG | 20 HR | 33 SB | 33.3 Okay% | 11.5 BB%
Williams is unequivocally one of the best prospect within the Rays system and has been since Junior Caminero graduated. The 21-year-old shortstop was a first-round choose in 2021 and has methodically climbed by means of the minors, most lately spending all of 2024 in Double-A. Williams has been a gentle supply of energy and velocity all through his profession, though his .256 profession batting common is so-so.
Few gamers within the minors are nearly as good defensively as Williams. He already has a MiLB Gold Glove on his report and is a 70-grade defender and thrower. Offensively, Williams has no hassle tapping into his plus uncooked energy and utilizing his velocity to create havoc on the bases. Probably the most vital subject with Williams’ profile is his continued struggles with breaking pitches, which have an effect on his total contact price of round 65%. If Williams can enhance his bat-to-ball expertise and make constant contact, he has 30-30 upside.
2) Aidan Smith, OF
2024 Stats SEA/TB (A): .288 AVG | .401 OBP | .473 SLG | 11 HR | 41 SB | 28.0 Okay% | 14.4 BB%
Smith was initially within the Mariners’ system, however the former fourth-round choose was acquired by the Rays within the Randy Arozarena commerce final summer time. Smith struggled in his professional debut in 2023 however was off to a scorching begin final season and continued to enhance following the commerce. In his 20 video games with the Rays, he slashed .306/.395/.486 with two homers, seven doubles, and 13 steals.
At 6’2″, and 190 lbs., Smith is wiry however robust and has impactful velocity on each side of the ball. Whereas his in-game energy has but to manifest totally, Smith has plus uncooked energy and hits the ball to all fields with authority. His exit velocities are nicely above the MLB common (103mph ninetieth, 113mph max), and his contact charges are bettering. There’s a lot to love on this 20-year-old outfielder.
3) Xavier Isaac, 1B
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .264 AVG | .370 OBP | .480 SLG | 18 HR | 15 SB | 39.5 Okay% | 13.3 BB%
2024 Stats (AFL): .286 AVG | .403 OBP | .554 SLG | 3 HR | 0 SB | 48.2 Okay% | 16.4 BB%
Xavier Isaac’s profile has so many intriguing qualities, however the 21-year-old has turn into one of many extra polarizing prospects within the minors. On the floor, Isaac is a High-25 expertise. He’s posted back-to-back seasons of double-digit homers and steals with a batting common of round .275. His physique (6’3″, 230 lbs) has a prototypical first base construct, and Isaac has tremendously improved his conditioning during the last 18 months. However, underneath the floor is a significant purple flag.
Isaac struggled this season, notably as soon as he reached Double-A, after dominating the decrease minors in previous years. The underlying subject is that Isaac’s contact charges are nicely under common, and there’s an out of doors likelihood he doesn’t make sufficient contact to achieve the majors. On the season, Isaac had a putrid 60% total contact price and an much more discouraging sub-70% in-zone contact price. Isaac has the ability to turn into a reliable 30-homer bat, however he additionally runs the chance of swinging and lacking his manner out of baseball.
4) Brailer Guerrero, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .330 AVG | .452 OBP | .466 SLG | 2 HR | 13 SB | 31.1 Okay% | 17.5 BB%
Guerrero is a big-bodied teenager with the talents to be one of the best participant and have essentially the most upside on this system. As an 18-year-old this season, Guerrero dominated rookie ball earlier than a shoulder damage lower his season quick. Sadly, a shoulder damage additionally restricted him in 2023, which leaves some doubt about his sturdiness regardless of his measurement.
At 6’1″, 215 lbs., Guerrero is already well-developed bodily and has proven his power by producing elite batted-ball information, together with a 112mph max exit velocity earlier this season. Given his skill to make constant contact with the ball and his plus uncooked energy, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Guerrero finds that residence run stroke. Except for well being, his solely current flaw is a propensity to hit the ball on the bottom, which ought to enhance with additional improvement and, hopefully, a wholesome shoulder.
5) Brody Hopkins, SP
2024 Stats SEA-TB (A): 115 IP | 133 Okay | 27.2 Okay% | 10.8 BB%
The Rays hit gold within the Arozarena commerce, including Aidan Smith and right-handed stud Brody Hopkins. Hopkins has a giant, sturdy body with a unfastened, winding supply that creates deception for hitters. His stuff performs much more with a singular launch level and decrease method angles. Make no mistake, Hopkins is not only about deception.
In his debut season, Hopkins generated loads of whiffs on all 4 of his pitches, along with his sweeper being one of the best. The sweeper has good depth however drastic sweeping motion away from right-handed hitters. His four-seamer sits within the mid-90s and may tick up, whereas the sinker and changeup have proven to be viable secondaries. The primary focus for Hopkins shifting ahead is to enhance his command as a result of his arsenal is legit.
6) Santiago Suarez, SP
2024 Stats (A): 111.2 IP | 115 Okay | 25.7 Okay% | 4.7 BB%
Of all of the prospect arms within the Rays’ system, Suarez seems to have much less volatility and, finally, the best flooring. The 19-year-old has impeccable command, strolling simply 38 hitters in 210 profession innings within the minors, together with simply 17 in his earlier two seasons coming into 2024. Suarez had a near-70% strike price this season, and throwing strikes at that price within the minors results in particular success.
Suarez has a conventional three-pitch combine that features a mid-90s fastball, curve, and changeup. The four-seamer has essentially the most enduring traits, with almost 18 inches of induced vertical break (iVB). Given his measurement (6’2″) and extension, the heater performs very nicely up within the zone. The curveball is filthy and generates loads of chase outdoors the zone. His change can be a strong third providing, though he presently stays very heavy fastball.
7) Jackson Baumeister, SP
2024 Stats BAL-TB (A+): 99.2 IP | 135 Okay | 32.7 Okay% | 11.6 BB%
The acquired pitcher theme continues with 22-year-old right-hander Jackson Baumeister, a extremely thrilling younger arm they added from the Orioles within the Zach Eflin commerce. Baumeister, a former catcher, had an up-and-down profession at Florida State however confirmed sufficient potential to warrant a third-round choice in 2023. After his commerce to the Rays, Baumeister excelled, posting a 1.24 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 29 innings.
The Rays could have unleashed a monster in Baumeister, a promising teen with an excellent arsenal. His four-seamer sits within the higher 90s with elite iVB approaching 20 inches. The curveball is a real 12-6 with terrific depth and chunk and an innate skill to overlook bats. His third providing is a changeup, with a definite 8-10mph velocity drop from the fastball and above-average motion to each side of the plate. The most important key to all of it was a substantial acquire in strike-throwing following the commerce, which has Baumeister knocking on the door of being a doubtlessly elite SP prospect.
Prospects Each Dynasty Supervisor Ought to Know
8) Gary Gill Hill, SP
2024 Stats (A): 108.2 IP | 105 Okay | 24.2 Okay% | 6.2 BB%
Gill Hill was a pleasing shock for the Rays final season, reworking from a comparatively unknown sixth-round choose in 2022 to a possible mid-rotation starter to shut 2024. The enhancements in his efficiency stemmed from velocity positive aspects that developed from extra bodily development. Now that Hill has improved his velocity, his excellent command and deep arsenal play up even higher. For those who purchase the velo positive aspects, Hill is a reputation to focus on in your dynasty leagues.
9) Tre’ Morgan, 1B
2024 Stats (A, A+, AA): .324 AVG | .408 OBP | .483 SLG | 10 HR | 20 SB | 12.9 Okay% | 11.0 BB%
2024 Stats (AFL): .338 AVG | .391 OBP | .500 SLG | 1 HR | 1 SB | 13.0 Okay% | 8.7 BB%
Morgan is one in every of my favourite prospects within the minor leagues. Except for his protection, Morgan does nothing on an elite stage, however he’s a ballplayer, which speaks volumes. If Morgan finds some pop in his bat, he’ll turn into an MLB common. Till then, Morgan stays a high-floor, low-upside play with out a carrying instrument for first base.
10) Theo Gillen, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .154 AVG | .353 OBP | .192 SLG | 0 HR | 1 SB | 53.8 Okay% | 23.5 BB%
Gillen was an thrilling prep participant from Texas who the Rays chosen with the 18th total choose this summer time. Gillen is very athletic and has proven the talents to have plus energy and velocity with an above-average hit-tool potential. He had a fast cup of espresso (8 video games) at Low-A to shut 2024, so we’ve but to see what he can do in a bigger pattern.
11) Brayden Taylor, 3B
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .250 AVG | .365 OBP | .493 SLG | 20 HR | 29 SB
Taylor entered the skilled ranks lauded for his protection and above-average hit instrument. Though his protection has remained robust, his contact expertise took a major step again in 2024. Given the risky nature of his offensive profile, Taylor can not afford to sacrifice the one ability he relied on to succeed.
12) Ty Johnson, SP
2024 Stats CHC-TB (A, A+): 84 IP | 120 Okay | 36.0 Okay% | 7.8 BB%
Guess what? It’s yet one more pitcher the Rays added through commerce. This time, they get 6’6″ right-hander Ty Johnson as a part of the Isaac Paredes commerce to the Cubs. Johnson splits his time between the rotation and bullpen however took a step ahead as a starter in 2024. His final success hinges on growing a 3rd providing, however his high-octane fastball and slider mixture has performed simply fantastic within the minors.
13) Owen Wild, SP
2024 Stats (A, A+): 121.1 IP | 151 Okay | 30.4 Okay% | 6.2 BB%
Wild was a pleasant discover within the seventh spherical of the 2023 Draft after a strong profession at Gonzaga. Wild, now 21, had an excellent professional debut in 2024 throughout two ranges. Opposite to his surname, Wild is a strike thrower and has discovered success attacking hitters with a three-pitch combine headlined by a four-seam fastball that carries nicely up within the zone.
14) Trevor Harrison, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A): 72.2 IP | 87 Okay | 29.4 Okay% | 8.8 BB%
Pitching, pitching, and extra pitching. The Rays have a litany of premium arms, and Trevor Harrison is trying to be a part of the group. The 6’4″, 19-year-old is drawing consideration with a various arsenal, which incorporates an upper-90s fastball, a plus changeup, and two distinctive breaking pitches. Harrison wants refinement along with his command however has the making of a mid-rotation starter.
15) Chandler Simpson, OF
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .355 AVG | .410 OBP | .397 SLG | 1 HR | 104 SB | 9.5 Okay% | 8.7 BB%
The quickest man within the minors is outfielder Chandler Simpson, who stole 104 bases final season, one yr after swiping 94 the season prior. Simpson is greater than velocity; he’s a 24-year-old who makes elite contact however lacks any over-the-fence punch, which limits his potential.
The Remaining 5
Though these prospects don’t crack the highest 15, dynasty managers ought to preserve their eye on these 5 gamers:
16) Dylan Lesko, SP
Lesko was a prime prospect within the Padres’ system who misplaced his manner in SD and is trying to regain confidence in a premium pitching improvement org.
17) Ian Seymour, SP
Lesko was a prime prospect within the Padres’ system who misplaced his manner in SD and is trying to regain confidence in a premium pitching improvement org.
18) Yoniel Curet, SP
Curet has electrical stuff that’s able to putting out the world. Sadly, his command will get wonky, so the 22-year-old seems destined for a high-leverage bullpen function.
19) Mac Horvath, 3B
Horvath came to visit from BAL within the Eflin commerce this summer time. If the younger nook infielder could make extra constant contact, he has 20-30 upside along with his energy and velocity.
20) Colton Ledbetter, OF
Ledbetter had a monster debut in 2024, slashing .273/.339/.484 with 42 extra-base hits and 34 steals in 109 video games. If he can management his aggression on the plate and make league-average contact, the previous SEC star has intriguing expertise.
